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    Rumor: LifeDrive and not the Tungsten XPosted By: PIC on Wednesday, May 04, 2005 12:22:25 PM
It now seems apparent that the rumored palmOne Tungsten X/LifeDrive is in fact called the LifeDrive as first reported. Two different sources are now claiming the name is LifeDrive and the device is set to debut sometime this month.
Our previous info states the LifeDrive will feature both WiFi and Bluetooth wireless and a 4 Gigabyte internal hard drive. It will run Palm OS Garnet on a 416 MHz Intel XScale processor, with a 480x320 display. It's rumored to be announced sometime this month with a $499 retail price.
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 Actual Release Date???aweyrich @ 5/4/2005 3:31:03 PM #
Ever since this device broke into rumorville two months ago I have been dying to get one since my Tungsten C broke for the third time and is now totally dead. I am PDA-less and forget everything now! Does anyone know the actual release date?  RE: Actual Release Date???
From the brighthand description this sounds like a cool well though out device. Its apparently not that thick, and a 4Gb the USB drivemode thing will be useful, and the ability to use it as a "picture tank" for cameras, with software to make it easy sounds very legitimate. Best of luck to PalmOne with a new category of device. Surur What about the T|E2?ackmondual @ 5/5/2005 2:32:30 AM #
I hear the T|X will only be as thick as 1.5 T3s, so it's just better if not equal to a T3 with a PTG Sled attached to it. Won't cut it for ppl who keep it in their shirt pockets, but it should still be pocketable unless you where those tight jeans or skirts with small pockets for loose items. Any1 played with a T|E2 yet and where? I ask b/c my local Staples still doesn't have it yet. It'll probably be another week till they have a demo model, and while the guy who seemed to be more knowledgeable about the T|E2 knew of it, he wasn't aware that his store 'll receive it soon. RE: Actual Release Date???ajay_sutton @ 5/5/2005 8:48:56 AM #
Regarding T|E2, I've been using mine for about a week now. The most sensational thing the battery life, which brings back thoughts of my Vx. I can go several days without charging. The first night I had it, I sat for 2 1/2 hours straight listening to .mp3's while playing solitare, with only a minimal move off of full on the battery guage. On the down side, I got a WiFi card (cause the web site says it works in an E2...) and was told drivers wouldn't be out till May, but yesterday I called PalmOne, and they say now, they hope to have drivers out around June sometime. But as far as the device goes, it's pretty nice. Andrew Sutton RE: Actual Release Date???
I will reply to my own question about the release date:). According to a News.com article that came out today(5/6). Its actual release date is May 18th. Get your wallets ready...... RE: Actual Release Date???grahamnind @ 5/7/2005 7:17:46 AM #
May 18th is the day before Star Wars Revenge of the Sith is released (in UK anyway; don't know about rest of world). Wonder if there is any connection between these 2 events?
If Microsoft/PPC represnt the Dark Side, then this could be a last ditch attempt by Palm to say 'Look evil is rampant, but we are still here.' The Force is present in every living thing, and this might be the significance of the name 'LifeDrive.' In the end we know that Darth Vader rejects the Dark Side. This shows the final triumph of Palm. 
I'll buy IF:
I'll buy IF: 1. At least 64 MB of *REAL* RAM or at least NVFS/FLASH RAM has been optimized well beyond that crappy T5/T650 implementation. This means FAST data access and no bugs! RE: I'll buy IF:
> 1. At least 64 MB of *REAL* RAM or at least NVFS/FLASH RAM has been optimized well beyond that crappy T5/T650 implementation. This means FAST data access and no bugs! The situation has been rectified in the Tungsten E2 Handheld. Hopefully with the LifeDrive, you can expect the NVFS System on this handheld to not suffer the 512Byte Syndrome anymore (16-32Bytes per block, The Treo 650 was the first handheld to have this syndrome fix). > 3. G1 Capable via some kind of patch or app. Graffiti 1 IMO is too hard to use, I feel like Graffiti 2 is much easier to use now. Guys like you Gekko, are suffering from the Graffiti 1 Syndrome. You have to get over with the Graffiti 1 since it's just as hard to use as hell. Hell, I never used Graffiti 1 whatsoever, it was too hard to use, but I'm more accustomed to Graffiti 2. Everybody has different needs. While some people like Graffiti 2, I can respect that people need Graffiti 1, but keep in mind that I tried Decuma on a Tungsten T5, and the app crashed my handheld all over the place. Same thing likely with a Graffiti 1 Hack. > 4. Better Software compatibility with older OS 5 apps. Agreed. That's a requirement. > 5. No OS bugs. You need to cut some slack for palmOne, as no one is perfect. Bug fixes are always coming out, so don't try to push them to the limits. > 6. Cradle available. Don't expect a Cradle to be included anymore, as people are trying to reduce the weight by not including a cradle anymore. > 7. BBVFS Backup software works. Dunno about this. RE: I'll buy IF:
6. Cradle available. You must be joking. By weight, do you mean cost. Actually its just a cynical move to get people to buy aftermarket cradles at hugely inflated prices. Surur RE:
>>"[quote]I'll buy IF: ... 7. BBVFS Backup software works."<< Dear Lord! How do you expect to back up 4GB to an SD card???!! I know it's important to back up individual db's, but I'm doing that on a T5 with an OLD version of BBVFS. The real beauty of these programs was to be able to do a hard reset and be completely restored in moments while on the road. I fear those days are about over now. =( There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. RE: I'll buy IF:RhinoSteve @ 5/4/2005 8:15:12 PM #
"It is not a mistake if the audience fails to notice the flub.", Zigfield "It is not a bug unless the user views it as an inconvience.", allegedly from Nolan Bushnell "All software has bugs, it comes down to how many bugs the user will tolerate when they purchase.", unknown speaker. Grafitti 1
I'll buy IF:
vesther, It is your opinion that G2 is easier. It is many others' opinions (including mine) that G1 is easier. There is no reason we can't have both. So there is no reason those who work faster with G1 should have to "get over" anything. G1 works for us, it works faster for us than G2, and it would be trivial for Palm to include G1 as a switchable legacy option (with G2 as the default otherwise) for those of us who wish to continue using it. It doesn't hurt Palm or you for those of us who want to to continute using G1 to have the option to do so. The thing is, the G1-advocates don't necessarily care that G2 exists. If Palm wants to market G2 as the "next big thing" then let them. Our gripe is having G2 forced down our throats and the lack of any configurable option for those of us who don't agree and are long-trained and better-skilled with G1. It's just plain ridiculous that we can't choose it somewhere as an option, even buried 5 layers into the preferences. I've spent so many years with G1 on Palms, ever since my first (Palm V) I've had a Vx and an m505 and now a T3. I don't care if 90% of everyone else uses G2. There's countless other lame things we can customize in Preferences. Just add the option to use G1 so that the thousands of us who got on-board early with Palm can continue to work efficiently. RE: I'll buy IF:
I'm much better at, and more used to G1. (Though most of my text is now entered via my UX-50's keyboard, which is fater than any pen-based entry.) When in tablet mode, I sometimes use the G2 included on my device. Does anyone know how to write an "L" then a space quickly without having it turn into a "T"? That's my biggest gripe. RE: I'll buy IF:
For you people stuck on G1, to make an l then a space make the l on the left side then the space on the right. It will work if the two don't meet. I hope that progams and hardware all of you people make is perfect and bug free. RE: Writing an 'l' followed by a space quickly
"When in tablet mode, I sometimes use the G2 included on my device. Does anyone know how to write an "L" then a space quickly without having it turn into a "T"? That's my biggest gripe." Here's how: write the 'L' and then make the space BELOW where you drew the "L". If you do this, you can do it as quickly as you can and it will not turn into a "t". Well...after 5 years of reading PalmInfocenter nearly daily, I finally know something worth sharing! Cooool. Even cooler is this rumored LifeDrive. I'll be all over it! Yip RE: I'll buy IF:ackmondual @ 5/5/2005 2:38:12 AM #
1. At least 64 MB of *REAL* RAM or at least NVFS/FLASH RAM has been optimized well beyond that crappy T5/T650 implementation. This means FAST data access and no bugs! 2. "FIND" feature works correctly - no 8 find limit OR find crashes. 3. G1 Capable via some kind of patch or app. 4. Better Software compatibility with older OS 5 apps. 5. No OS bugs. 6. Cradle available. 7. BBVFS Backup software works. My takes and views: 1- I believe Palm believes that NVFS is the 'wave of the future', so goodbye real RAM. I'm not well versed on NVFS and its workings, but I'm afraid NVFS will have to be slower by design. As for the other issues, I think the "ballooning" of apps is fixed, as apparent byt the T|E2's first release 2- Personally, i don't mind the 8 char limit, as all my search strings have been less than that, but the "find more" bug would piss me off as i tap that all the time in wehn performing seraches. 3- Same deal with the Real RAM. Goodbye .... to you. This is based on how G1 won't come back on the T5, TE2, tr650, .... all P1 handhelds after the T|E, T3, and counting. I like the other dude, prefer G2 now. At the very least, Jot, Decuma, TealScript, and other writing utlities will hopefully be compatible. 4- OH HELL YEAH. os3 apps not compatible with os5 was bad enough, but os5 not so on os5 b/c of different hardware? What the frick!?! 5- No OS bugs!?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! There are ALWAYS bugs. PalmOne isn't that good. M$ isn't that good either. All their Windows releases always require SP and really should've been delayed 6- For $500, i don't think a cradle is unreasonable. Is it really that much more to add another ..... ballpark guess... 8oz or so to shipping costs? 7- I use TealBackup, but would appreciate all backup apps to be still compatible.
U don't. Have to either. The MicroDrive retains all of it's info even when there is no power since it's a miniature hardrive like an ipod. Uses either flash and/or some sort of magnetism.... i always get microdrive technology muddled up even tho i've it's been explained to me twice now :( RE: I'll buy IF:ajay_sutton @ 5/5/2005 8:57:38 AM #
I got very used to G1, and was (am) very proficient with it, and I like it a lot. So much so in fact that I put the .prc files on my TE so I could use it cause I was having so much trouble with G2. With my E2, G2 seems MUCH easier, which kind of shores up my belief that the TE's digitizer isn't completely right. The two stroke characters (T, I, K, Y) are nearly impossible on TE. But with E2, it's at least doable, although as several others have noted, it does require you to go a bit slower. It's still my preferred form of data entry, although when I'm taking notes in a class or meeting or something, I still use the keyboard, but half of that is because I like to see people gawk at it... A. Jay Sutton RE: I'll buy IF:
I'll upgrade from my T3 if Palm can put a file system on this device that can support more than 15 catorgies. This is an issue as old as the hills. If someone is going to use even 1/3 of that 4Gb storage device, its going to be lots of fun trying to find files when you can only divide the data 15 ways. It better have one hell of a search utility. RE:
If NVFS is poorly implemented as it was with the T5 and T650, this pig will die. And I'm not talking just about the block size issue, I'm talking about data access speed, stability, and compatibility too. This LifeDrive would be my perfect PDA if it had G1, Regular RAM, and a more stable/bug-free/backward-compatible OS (and a basic utilitarian camera would have been nice). Non-volatile ram is essential for life-drive
If P1 wants to jump on the Ipod bandwagon their device MUST be non-volatile, which means NVFS. You cant use a media player to its full potential if you have to worry about the consequences of a flat battery. I hope they pull this of well, as Ive been waiting for a similar type of device on the Windows Mobile side for a long time. Surur RE:
surur - but since the 4GB is a HARD DRIVE, do we really need total Flash RAM for the PIM/SYSTEM RAM portion? flash ram
Unless you want a flat battery to result in at minimum a reboot, or worse losing the appointments you have just entered that day, the whole device needs to be non-volatile, not just your music and videos. If this device is used to the full I would be surprised if it lasts 2 hours for video and 8 hours for music. That means a totally flat battery could be a more or less daily occurrence. It needs to be bullet proof (e.g. no backup on low battery warning). On windows mobile there is already a clear separation between program memory and storage memory. Potentially they could implement a system where just the storage memory is non-volatile (non-volatile RAM or HDD) and the program memory is normal DRAM. That way a flat battery would simply result in a soft-reset. I believe however that they are planning to down the same route as Palm and make the whole thing slow and non-volatile :( Surur RE G2
My CLIE 665 just died and I've finally started using the TH-55 that I had bought ages ago (long story). Yes G2 is as bad--no worse then everyone says.... RE: I'll buy IF:
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi will be included with the LifeDrive. The Storage will be limited to what's given to us on the Hard Drive (4GB Nominal, 3.85GB Useable). The 32-64MB NVFS SDRAM is probably going to be used as dedicated Heap Memory to say for the most, likely it's gonna be SDRAM that's gonna be reserved for the system. The Hard Drive's data will definitely be safe in the event your MM's power runs out.
While the Bluetooth Version is going to be 1.1 and the LifeDrive will only have the 802.11b standard, I'm glad that palmOne is listening--but with the exception of not including a Cradle with this one (You will only get a cable with the Athena Connector), and I have to see whether or not the Tungsten T5/E2 Cradle will work with the LifeDrive.
I don't want the hard driveneilmitchell @ 5/4/2005 4:59:55 PM #
I want this functionality minus the hard drive (i.e. WiFi, 64MB, good quality case, hopefully vibrating alarm, docking cradle etc) in a SLIMMER and LIGHTER package. This is what the T|T5 should have been. Neil ------------------ Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem - Henry Kissinger RE: I don't want the hard drive
I'd go for this unit with the 4gb HD if it were $100 cheaper. $400 has proven over the years to be, at best, the absolute price ceiling as far as POS devices are concerned if any sales volume whatsoever is desired. I'd really prefer something totally devoid of a HD if at all possible (reliability/battery life concerns). P1 could either ship a cut-down version in the current formfactor with a 2gb CF card (not Microdrive) standard or do something approximately the size of the T5 but with the LD's featureset (minus the HD, of course). Think how Tapwave did the Zod1 and Zod2 and imagine a LD1 and LD2 sort of scenario. I could easily live without the built-in storage drive (flash or Microdrive)if that would keep the cost down as I already have several 1gb SD cards and 2gb SD cards are finally starting to creep downward. 2gb is currently plenty of space for me on a POS handheld. RE: I don't want the hard driveThe Black Moose @ 5/4/2005 6:09:44 PM #
If this device is to finally replace the aging Tungsten C, then $500 might not be such a bad price. That was what the T|C started if I am not mistaken. If the Tungsten C is still for sale anywhere, then it better be cheap as it won't compete with this many more features on the LifeDrive. RE: I don't want the hard drive
T|T (the original in 2002) was $500 at launch IIRC. T3 was $400 at launch---I think the T2 might've been $50 less at its launch. I seem to recall the T|C being $400 at launch instead of $500 but it's honestly been out so long and seemingly stuck at $400 MSRP that it's hard to recall anything else. At any rate, look at the track record of $400+ POS devices in the marketplace. Sony, Garmin, and P1 have all failed to make a dent in the priciest POS offerings. RE: I don't want the hard drive
I agree. I wouldn't have any use for 4GB. My iPod carries my music, and I don't enjoy watching movies/video on my PDA. However, I don't doubt that it would be useful for many people. I'm curious to know how you all would use the 4GB. Please reply... RE: I don't want the hard drive
Phoneboy; I concur. 4gb is simply far too little storage space to try and adopt to carrying a HD around in my pocket. If the LD could somehow shoehorn an iPod-style 20gb HD or better into the same formfactor, then I'd have reason to get excited as I could conceivably carry the vast majority of my CD collection around with me and use it to offload images from my 7mp digicam when traveling. Otherwise, 4gb will fill up pretty quickly and the inherent tradeoffs (fragility, power consumption etc) of a miniature HD being jostled around all day will continue to rear their head. 512mb on SD is the bare minimum I could use on a daily basis on a PDA. 1gb is my current comfortable norm and 2gb on an SD card is more than enough for anything I'd need ASIDE from carting my "digital life" (mp3s & jpegs) around with me. In order to do THAT, I'd like to have 40gb+ to make it even worth my while. All that said, I am still going to give the LD a very close look but I will only buy it from a store with a very generous extended service plan.I am still curious to see how P1 is going to deal with the FAT16 limitations. Perhapos two 2gb partitions on the HD and one being used for media and the other being used for app storage? RE: I don't want the hard drive
I want this functionality minus the hard drive ... in a SLIMMER and LIGHTER package. This is what the T|T5 should have been. (just in case palmOne is monitoring this conversation...) Speaking of "money", if the Lifedrive starts at $500 with a 4 gig hd, wifi, etc., how in the world did palmOne ever think the T5 should sell for $400? It was way too "dumbed down" for that price tag. RE: I don't want the hard drive
MOVIES!!! I frequently use both MMPlayer and the new, faster TCPMP to watch movies on my PDA. Having 4 GB would mean I wouldn't have to convert a feature length movie at low quality to get it to fit!!! I could easily use 10 GB of space - or 20. I also like to keep things like funny video clips to show my friends. I also have the entire US in map files for Mapopolis taking up more than 500 mb - and these are OLD! I'm sure the new ones are bigger. It'd be nice to have the whole USA on my PDA! There are endless possibilities for PDA memory! Not to mention music or the use of it as a BIG flash drive! RE: I don't want the hard driveDarthRepublican @ 5/4/2005 11:56:45 PM #
I absolutely want one of these machines. I don't have an iPod. I spent a year carrying around both a Treo 270 and a Tungsten E. Then I upgraded to a Treo 600 and it became my regular PDA. Together with a 512MB SD card, it was more than enough for me. Then I got into video in a big way and brought my Tungsten E out of retirement. I'm currently converting my DVDs into a .avi files for viewing with TCPMP and playing them on my Tungsten E. With a 4GB drive I can carry around many more video files. And with a faster processor, I can encode higher quality video. Save about 1GB for music and I'll always be entertained. RE: I don't want the hard driveneilmitchell @ 5/5/2005 12:11:36 AM #
I agree that if you want Movies....this iPOD/PDA Hybrid is certainly for you. This comes at a cost of size and weight. I want something that I can carry around the office in a pocket as I will be carrying my laptop in my hands. In must be light, sturdy & built to last. I will expect a docking station, BT and now WiFi. I don't want something do large it is going to pull my trouser down while I walk around the office.
------------------ Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem - Henry Kissinger RE: I don't want the hard driveackmondual @ 5/5/2005 2:56:32 AM #
a T|T was $500 when it was first released!?! Are u f@#$ kidding me? I thought it was $350 or at the very most $400. No wonder why ppl were pissed at it. P1 came out with the T|T2 shortly later that was everything the T|T was supposed to be. phoneboy @ 5/4/2005 9:12:08 PM However, I don't doubt that it would be useful for many people. I'm curious to know how you all would use the 4GB. Please reply... > As far as practical uses, multimedia and documents. Store tons of photos, music, videos, docuements, maps, and other reference material. Even though 1GB SD cards can be reasonably found for $50, you'd need to bear the hassle of carrying around 4 loose SD cards on you and swapping them to access your other songs. 2GB SD cards is more practical, but i doubt it's more cost effective than a T|X
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